Sainsbury Centre for Visual ArtsThis is a resource for the enhancement of teaching and learning in world art studies. It provides access to primary visual source materials in England, from art collections held at the University of East Anglia, Norwich and the University of Durham. At its heart is a database of images from these two important collections. Objects, many of which are seldom on display, may be studied through multiple pictures and substantial new texts. There are also interactive facilities for making new contributions.

The site design and texts have been produced by a consortium of contributors working in higher education. These include art historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, educationalists, historians and IT specialists. The process of creating these resources has been experimental and it has been constantly refined and updated since its inception in 2000. It began as a three year project funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee of the Higher Education Funding Council in their 5/99 strand.

Themes

These resources reflect current teaching and recent debates. Organisation of teaching modules is thematic, with the intention of underpinning a variety of courses. Treatment of each theme varies, reflecting the different approaches to subjects in each department which has created them. However background resources, such as maps, timelines, links and references have been provided consistently.

Creating and Sharing Knowledge

The building of a knowledgeable community is a dynamic and inclusive process, requiring discussion and the sharing of knowledge. Some of the questioning and critical processes are evident in the way that material is presented here. You will find filmed debates and seminars as examples of the ways in which ideas have been discussed. Peer review has been integral to our creative process and students have been actively involved not only in testing these materials in various ways, but in creating them as their expertise has increased.

Exploring Artworld

Oriental Museum, Durham
Oriental Museum, Durham
Use the menus at the top of each page to navigate the various sections of the site. There are also navigation keys and links on each page. The site is divided into categories for ease of use in teaching and learning:

• Teaching Modules contains thematic texts, images maps and links.
• Object Catalogue contains images, data, descriptions and texts relating to the art collections at the University of East Anglia and the University of Durham
• Artworld Community is where you may join, to make use of all the interactive facilities: galleries and mini websites for lecture and seminar presentations, questionnaires and text contributions and comments.